New York Islanders general manager Garth Snow wants to hold on to a pair of draft picks acquired from the Calgary Flames last summer.
As part of the return for defenseman Travis Hamonic, the Islanders received both a first- and second-round pick for 2018. Those selections would be highly coveted on the trade market around the deadline, but Snow has no desire to sacrifice those assets despite sitting outside the playoff picture.
"So, are we going to, at this point in time, be giving first-round picks and high picks for rental players? I don’t think we’re in that position," Snow said, per Newsday's Steven Marcus. "Just doesn’t make sense."
Snow also reiterated he won't be trading John Tavares amid uncertainty about the captain's long-term future with the team.
He added injuries have been a big factor as to why the Islanders are a playoff bubble team, and the belief seems to be the group as constituted can get the job done down the stretch.
That was the sentiment Winnipeg Jets head coach Paul Maurice had when he joked with reporters, who pointed out to him on Thursday that his club has gone 11-2-3 since Mark Scheifele went down with an upper-body injury.
Since Dec. 27 - when Scheifele last played - the Jets' impressive record is good enough for second behind only the blazing-hot Boston Bruins, and sees them just one point back of the Vegas Golden Knights for top spot in the Western Conference.
Scheifele looks to be nearing a return to the lineup which should give the team an even further boost.
Despite a turbulent season, the New York Rangers remain the NHL leader in one major category.
It was revealed by Fanatics, the company that operates the league's e-commerce, that the Rangers top the league in merchandise sales, via ESPN's Greg Wyshynski.
It may be an odd time to purchase Rangers merchandise as the team hinted at some upcoming trades and adjustment of personnel in a statement Thursday. New York currently sits in last place in the Metropolitan Division.
New York Rangers president Glen Sather and general manager Jeff Gorton appeared to warn the team's fans of an approaching rebuild in a statement released Thursday.
The statement notes that the Rangers began reshaping their roster during the offseason and the club will now focus on acquiring young, competitive, and skilled players with character and speed. They also alerted fans that, in the process, familiar names could be traded as the team looks to build a future Stanley Cup contender.
Earlier Thursday, the team placed defenseman Brendan Smith on waivers. New York signed him to a four-year, $17.4-million contract just last summer.
Here's the full statement from Sather and Gorton:
As a member of the Blueshirt Faithful, we consider you a part of the New York Rangers family, and always want to ensure we share important news about the organization directly with you. Today, we want to talk to you about the future.
As you know, since the 2005-06 season, we have been a highly competitive team. We have played 129 playoff games, won the Presidents’ Trophy, reached the Conference Finals three times, as well as the Stanley Cup Final. While we’re proud of all those accomplishments - we didn’t reach our ultimate goal of bringing the Stanley Cup back to New York.
So as we do every season, we have been continuously evaluating our team, looking for areas that can be improved to enhance our chances of winning. We began the process of reshaping our team this past summer, when we traded for assets that we believe will help us in the years to come. As we approach the trade deadline later this month and into the summer, we will be focused on adding young, competitive players that combine speed, skill and character. This may mean we lose some familiar faces, guys we all care about and respect. While this is part of the game, it’s never easy. Our promise to you is that our plans will be guided by our singular commitment: ensuring we are building the foundation for our next Stanley Cup contender.
There are no fans like Rangers fans. You are passionate, loyal and true. You fill The Garden every night, and we always know there will be a strong showing from RangersTown in every building across the League. We do not take your support for granted. We appreciate that you have always stood by us, and we ask you to remain by our side as we undertake this exciting new chapter filled with promise and change.
We will keep you informed as this process takes shape. Thank you for the incredible loyalty, pride and respect you show to the New York Rangers, each and every day.
Smith signed a four-year, $17.4-million contract with the Rangers in June.
The veteran was acquired by the Rangers in February of last year via a trade with the Detroit Red Wings, for second- and third-round draft picks. A pending free agent at the time, he then elected to sign a long-term deal with New York.
Smith recorded one goal and eight points in 44 games this season.
The 2017-18 season has not been easy for Erik Karlsson.
The Ottawa Senators captain has been bombarded with questions surrounding his pending free agency and the controversial remarks from owner Eugene Melnyk ahead of the team's outdoor game. This, all wrapped around the team's disastrous play on the ice.
It's been a lot to handle and no one understands what he must be going through more than former teammate Kyle Turris.
"He's one of the best players in the world and it's been a frustrating year for him," Turris said, according to Sportsnet's Chris Johnston. "He's a great leader. To have the team going through what they're going through I think is tough and frustrating, and it’s a tough situation for him with all of the rumors going around about him.
"So, yeah, it’s just altogether a tough situation but he handles things well."
On Thursday, Turris returns to Ottawa for his first game since joining the Nashville Predators in a three-way trade that saw Matt Duchene sent to the Senators.
For the 28-year-old, he's excited to be back around good friends such as Karlsson, Mark Stone, and Mark Borowiecki, but by game time, he knows it will be back to business.
"Yeah, I’m buddies with them," said Turris. "I'm sure I'll be talking to [Karlsson] and [Mark Stone] and [Mark Borowiecki] and some of the guys. When you get on the ice it's a game and it's competitive and it'll be fun at the same time."
Buffalo Sabres defenseman Jake McCabe will be out three-to-four weeks after undergoing surgery to repair a thumb injury, the team announced on Thursday.
McCabe suffered the injury after blocking a shot in the first period of Tuesday's game against the Anaheim Ducks.
The 24-year-old is in the midst of his third full season in the NHL, tallying three goals and 12 points in 53 games.